Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal

Bantwal, Apr 6: A youth who had allegedly eloped with a girl was on Monday April 6 thrashed by the locals who accused him of 'conversion'. The incident took place at Ira here.

Francis (name changed) and Soumya (name changed), belonging to different communities were said to be in love. The girl had reportedly gone missing some four-five days back, but returned home on April 6.

The family members of the girl alleged that Francis had 'kidnapped' the girl and attempted to 'convert' her.

The girl, after returning home on Monday, said that she did not want to marry Francis. Meanwhile, Francis along with his sister and some other family members came to the girl's house to talk and convince her. The girl's family however accused him of trying to convert her.

Soon, women from the neighbourhood and some locals gathered at the girl's house and allegedly assaulted Francis and his family.

The Bantwal rural police on receiving information arrived at the spot and took Francis and the girl into custody along with their family members.

In the presence of police, Francis said that he was willing to marry the girl but the latter refused.

Bantwal rural police are investigating.